02 July 2009

Keel laying for new Cunard ship

The formal keel laying ceremony for Cunard Lne’s new ship Queen Elizabeth is due to take place in Italy today (Thursday).

The event will be held at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Trieste

It involves the placement in the dry dock of the first section of the ship’s hull. This section is made up of six pre-manufactured blocks, weighs 364 tons and is fitted with 104 tons of pipes, cables, insulation and other equipment.

More than 50 sections will be used in the construction of Queen Elizabeth prior to the vessel taking to the water for the first time at its float out in December before her delivery to Cunard.

The second largest Cunard ship ever built is to enter service in October 2010, joining sister vessel Queen Victoria and flagship Queen Mary 2.

As successor to QE2, the ship will also reflect the great liner through artworks and memorabilia, and its very own ‘Yacht Club’.

Queen Elizabeth will depart on its maiden voyage on October 12, 2010 - a cruise which sold out in a record-breaking 29 minutes 14 seconds in April. The 13-night itinerary from Southampton calls at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal.

The ship’s maiden season will run until January 2011 and include voyages to the Western and Central Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

by Phil Davies